U.S. patent application number 10/546969 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for watch wristband with links.
Invention is credited to Paul Hartzband.
Application Number | 20060208017 10/546969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37009255 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060208017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hartzband; Paul |
September 21, 2006 |
Watch wristband with links
Abstract
The invention concerns a watch wristband of the type including
at least one row of central links (10) of longitudinal axis AA, two
rows of pairs of lateral links (11) facing each other symmetrically
with respect to the axis in order to connect the central links (10)
to each other and a plurality of lugs (24) assembling the central
links with the lateral links in an articulated manner. This
wristband is characterized in that each central link (10) includes
a core (12), a layer of carbon fiber fabric (13) covering the core
and two flanges (15) respectively secured to the faces of the core
connection to the lateral links.
Inventors: |
Hartzband; Paul; (CHAPPAQUA,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGLEW & TUTTLE, PC
P.O. BOX 9227
SCARBOROUGH STATION
SCARBOROUGH
NY
10510-9227
US
|
Family ID: |
37009255 |
Appl. No.: |
10/546969 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US03/05940 |
371 Date: |
August 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/164 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/4782 20150115;
A44C 5/107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/164 |
International
Class: |
A44C 5/00 20060101
A44C005/00 |
Claims
1. Watch wristband including at least one row of central links of
longitudinal axis AA, two rows of pairs of lateral links facing
each other symmetrically with respect to said axis in order to
connect the central links to each other and a plurality of lugs
assembling the central links to the lateral links in an articulated
manner, characterized in that each central link comprises, at
least, an external portion including solid carbon and two flanges
respectively secured to the faces of the core connected to the
lateral links.
2. Watch wristband according to claim 1, characterized in that each
central link comprises a core and a layer of carbon fibre fabric
covering said core.
3. Wristband according to claim 2, characterized in that said core
is made of carbon fibre.
4. Wristband according to claim 3, characterized in that said
flanges are made of metal.
5. Wristband according to claim 1, characterized in that the
central links have the shape of a rectangular plate of transverse
section DD perpendicular to said longitudinal axis AA.
6. Wristband according to claim 5, characterized in that three
passages pass through each central link parallel to its median
plane CC and to its transverse axis DD.
7. Wristband according to claim 6, characterized in that the
lateral links have, overall, the shape of a plate of transverse
axis GG parallel to the transverse axis DD of the central
links.
8. Wristband according to claim 7, characterized in that each
lateral link (11) is pierced with three holes (21, 22, 23) parallel
to its median plane FF and to its transverse axis GG.
9. Wristband according to claim 8, these holes being arranged such
that: the first passage of a central link is aligned with the third
holes of a pair of lateral links whose second and first holes are
respectively aligned with the second and third passages of the
adjacent central link.
10. Wristband according to claim 9, wherein the second and third
passages of the same central link are respectively aligned with the
second and third holes of a pair of lateral links whose third holes
are aligned with the first passage of the other adjacent central
link.
11. Wristband according to claim 8, characterized in that said lugs
are arranged in the three passages of the central links and driven
into the holes of the corresponding lateral links.
12. Wristband according to claim 6, characterized in that the
second passage of a central link has a constant diameter whereas
the first and third passages have a slightly greater diameter where
they pass through the core.
13. Wristband according to claim 6, characterized in that the
central links and lateral links have an oval cross-section.
14. Wristband according to claim 1, characterized in that it
includes two rows of central links and a third row of lateral links
inserted between the central links and fulfilling, on either side,
the same connecting function as the other two.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the watchmaking field and
concerns, more particularly, a watch wristband or bracelet with
articulated links.
[0002] Numerous wristbands of this type are available on the
market, most often made of steel or another metal. For example,
Swiss Patent No. CH 692 234 discloses a wristband having two rows
of lateral links and at least one row of central links, connected
in an articulated manner by pins. The central links include cores
made of plastic material intended to reduce friction between the
various mobile parts of the wristband.
[0003] This solution is certainly advantageous. Nonetheless, since
certain watches now have a dial with a carbon fibre appearance,
combining such a dial with a totally metal wristband does not give
a very satisfactory aesthetic result.
[0004] Moreover, most articulated wristband systems devised for
metal links are not ideally suited to solid carbon elements since
the latter are liable to erode due to friction with the metal
elements.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a
wristband formed of metal parts and solid carbon parts avoiding the
problems of friction between the two materials while maintaining an
excellent aesthetic appearance.
[0006] More precisely, the invention concerns a watch wristband of
the type comprising at least one row of central links, two rows of
pairs of lateral links facing each other symmetrically with respect
to the longitudinal axis of the wristband in order to, connect the
central links to each other and a plurality of lugs assembling the
central links to the lateral links in an articulated manner. This
wristband is mainly characterized in that each central link
comprises, at least, an external portion including solid carbon and
two flanges respectively secured to the faces of the core connected
to the lateral links
[0007] The wristband according to the invention also includes the
following features: [0008] each central link comprises a core and a
layer of carbon fibre fabric covering said core; [0009] the core of
the central links is made of carbon fibre whereas the flanges are
made of metal; [0010] the central links have the shape of a
rectangular plate whose transverse axis is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the wristband; [0011] three passages pass
through each central link, parallel to its median plane and its
transverse axis; [0012] the lateral links have, overall, the shape
of a plate whose transverse axis is parallel to the transverse axis
of the central links; [0013] each lateral link is pierced with
three holes parallel to its median plane and to its transverse
axis, these holes being arranged such that: [0014] the first
passage of a central link is aligned with the third holes of a pair
of lateral links whose second and first holes are respectively
aligned with the second and third passages of the adjacent central
link; and [0015] the second and third passages of the same central
link are respectively aligned with the second and third holes of a
pair of lateral links whose third holes are aligned with the first
passage of the other adjacent central link; [0016] the lugs are
arranged in the three passages of the central links and driven into
the holes of the corresponding lateral links; [0017] the second
passage of a central link has a constant diameter, whereas the
first and third passages have a slightly greater diameter where
they pass through the core; [0018] the central and lateral links
have an oval cross-section; [0019] the wristband includes two rows
of central links and a third row of lateral links inserted between
the central links fulfilling, on either side, the same connecting
function as the two others.
[0020] Other features of the invention will become clear from the
following description, made with reference to the annexed drawing,
in which:
[0021] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a
wristband according to the invention, respectively in a top, side
and exploded view; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of a second embodiment of said
wristband.
[0023] In a first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the
wristband according to the invention includes a row of central
links 10 and two rows of lateral links 11 connecting central links
10 to each other in an articulated manner.
[0024] Central links 10 have, overall, the shape of a rectangular
plate of oval cross-section. Typically, they have a dimension of
approximately 10 mm along longitudinal axis M of the wristband, a
dimension of approximately 14 mm widthwise and a thickness of
approximately 4 mm.
[0025] Links 10 are formed of a core 12, preferably made of carbon
fibre, covered with a layer 13 of carbon fibre fabric, for example
of the Toron type. Their oval faces 14, parallel to axis M, are
respectively coupled, advantageously by bonding, to a metal flange
15, for example made of steel. The shape of these flanges is
identical to that of faces 14 and their thickness is approximately
0.7 mm. These elements are mainly used to isolate lateral links 11
from central links 10, in order to protect the latter. Moreover,
they contribute to improving the aesthetic appearance of the
wristband.
[0026] Three passages 16, 17 and 18 pass through each central link
10, parallel to its transverse axis DD, in a plane BB parallel to
its median plane CC, but slightly offset towards its internal face
(i.e. the face applied to the wrist). Passages 16 and 18 are,
respectively, in proximity to front and back edges 19 and 20 of the
link parallel to its axis DD, whereas intermediate passage 17 is
offset on the side of passage 18.
[0027] It is clear that the front edge of a link is that located
closest to the upstream side of the wristband, i.e. the end thereof
secured to the watch. Conversely, the back edge of a link is that
located closest to the downstream side of the wristband, i.e. the
end thereof furthest from the watch.
[0028] Typically, for a link of 10.2 mm, passage 16 is at 2.5 mm
from front edge 19, passage 17 is at 3.95 mm from passage 16 and
passage 18 is at 2.20 mm from passage 17.
[0029] For reasons that will appear hereinafter, passage 17 has a
constant diameter over its entire passage through link 10,
typically 1.25 mm, whereas passages 16 and 18 have a slightly
greater diameter where they pass through core 12, typically 1.30
mm, but this is reduced where they pass through flanges 15,
typically to 1.25 mm.
[0030] The articulated connection of two adjacent central links 10
is ensured, around an axis EE corresponding to that of passage 16,
by a pair of lateral links 11 facing each other symmetrically with
respect to axis AA.
[0031] Lateral links 11 are made of metal, for example steel and
have, overall, the shape of a plate of oval cross-section having
slight concavity towards the wrist. Along longitudinal axis AA of
the wristband, they have substantially the same dimension as
central links 10 but, widthwise and in the direction of its
thickness, they have smaller dimensions, namely, typically, 5.1 mm
for the width and 3.7 mm for the thickness.
[0032] Each lateral link 11 is pierced, in its median plane FF, by
three blind holes 21, 22 and 23 parallel to its transverse axis GG
and to transverse axis DD of links 10. These holes are arranged in
the following manner: [0033] the gap between holes 21 and 22 is the
same as the gap between passages 17 and 18 of links 10; and [0034]
the gap between holes 22 and 23 is the same as the gap provided
between passage 18 of a link 10 and passage 16 of its
neighbour.
[0035] All three of holes 21, 22 and 23 have the same diameter. It
is less than the minimum diameter of the passages of link 10 and
typically measures 1.15 mm.
[0036] The links of the wristband according to the invention are
assembled in the following manner: [0037] passage 16 of a central
link 10 is aligned with holes 23 of a pair of lateral links 11
whose holes 21 and 22 are respectively aligned with passages 17 and
18 of the adjacent upstream central link 10; and [0038] passages 17
and 18 of the same central link 10 are respectively aligned with
holes 21 and 22 of a pair of lateral links 11 whose holes 23 are
aligned with passage 16 of the adjacent downstream central link
10.
[0039] The articulated connection of the links is ensured by lugs
24 inserted into passages 16, 17 and 18 of links 10 and driven into
holes 21, 22 and 23 of links 11. The diameter of these lugs is
slightly less than that of passages 16, 17 and 18, namely typically
1.20 mm.
[0040] Although, because of their small diameter, lugs 24 rotate
freely inside passages 16, 17 and 18, it will be noted that the
lugs of passages 17 and 18, arranged in the same central link 10
and driven into holes 21 and 22 of the same pair of lateral links
11, prevent any relative movement between links.
[0041] The only possible movement is thus that of lugs 24 in
passages 16 which thus form the articulation pins between the links
of the wristband.
[0042] It will also be noted that the larger diameter given to the
end passages 16 and 18 of central links 10 allows any dimension and
positioning tolerances between cores 12 and flanges 15 to be
compensated for.
[0043] It will further be noted that the difference in thickness
between central links 10 and lateral links 11 and the relative
offset between the planes in which their passages and holes are
inscribed, cause lateral links 11 to be lowered towards the inside
of the wristband, i.e. towards the arm of the person wearing it.
Since it is links 10 that pivot with respect to links 11, by
pressing on the arm, this movement is thus not completely impeded
when the wristband is worn, which contributes to making it pleasant
for the person wearing it.
[0044] In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, where the elements
common to FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference
numbers, the wristband according to the invention differs to that
previously described in that it includes two rows of central links
25 separated by a third row of lateral links 26, placed in
longitudinal axis AA of the wristband.
[0045] Along their transverse axis DD, central links 25 have a
smaller dimension than links 10, but, otherwise, they are identical
to them.
[0046] Lateral links 26 of the third row are identical to links 11
with which they collaborate, in threes, in order to ensure the
articulated connection of the two rows of central links 25.
[0047] Whichever embodiment is used, it may be advantageous to coat
the carbon fibre fabric covering the central links with a layer of
varnish. This layer protects the fabric and reinforces the
aesthetic appearance of the wristband.
[0048] The present description was made with reference to links of
constant width whereas, generally, the wristband becomes wider
upstream in order to fit the watchcase. It goes without saying
that, in order to achieve this fit, one need only gradually
increase the width of the lateral links.
[0049] Thus, there is obtained an articulated wristband provided
with carbon links aesthetically matching a carbon dial and not
suffering from the close presence of metal links.
* * * * *